Babette's Feast: A Journey of Grace and Sacrifice

for the next 12 years Babette worked for the Sisters the first time Martine the daughters were named Martine in Philippe for Martin Luther and Philip malings on two great reformers first time Martine showed her how to split a Cod and cook the gruel Babette's eyebrows shut up when her nose wrinkled a little but she never questioned her assignments she fed the poor people of the Town took over all the housekeeping chores she even helped with Sabbath services everyone had to agree Babette somehow brought New Life to that stagnant community [00:04:40]

came to them with a request for 12 years I've served you for nothing she said now I have a request I would like to prepare the meal for the anniversary service I would like to cook you a real French dinner what the sisters did not know was that back in the day Babette had been the head cook chef at the Premier Luxury restaurant in France although the sisters had great misgivings about this plan but that was certainly right she'd asked no favor in 12 years what choice they have but to agree [00:05:52]

when the money arrived from France Babette went away to make arrangements for the dinner over the next few weeks the residents were treated to one amazing sites after another as boats docked to unload Provisions for her kitchen they pushed wheelbarrows located with crates of small birds cases of champagne champagne and wine soon followed the entire head of a cow fresh vegetables truffles pheasants ham strange creatures that lived in the sea a huge tortoise still alive moving a snake-like head all these ended up in the sister's kitchen now firmly ruled by Babette [00:06:25]

after some discussion they agreed to eat the French meal with only comment about it less bad back get the wrong idea tongues were meant for praise and thanksgiving not indulging exotic taste so they would eat it but they wouldn't sing anything about it but then they began to eat and it is an Exquisite meal Beyond description a feast like none of them had ever experienced though no one other than one character spoke of the food to drink gradually the banquet worked its magical effect on the trueest villagers [00:07:10]

they're blood warmed their tongues loosened they spoke of the old days when the Father the dean was alive and of Christmas the year the bay froze the brother who had cheated on another on a business deal finally confessed and the two women who had feuded found themselves conversing a woman burped and the brother next to her said without thinking Hallelujah they were healed they were changed [00:07:43]

outside the old-timers joined hands around the fountain and lustly sing the old songs of faith it is a communion scene Babette's Feast opened the gate and Grace stolen they felt as if they had indeed had their sins washed white as wool and in this regained innocent attire and we're gambling like little lambs [00:08:21]

the final scene he says takes place inside in the wreck of the kitchen piled high with unwashed dishes greasy pots shells gristly bones broken crates vegetable trimmings empty bottles Babette sits and amidst the feast looking as wasted as the night she arrived 12 years before suddenly the sisters realized that in accordance with their vow no one has spoken to bip out of the dinner [00:08:52]

it was quite a nice dinner Babette one of them says tentatively she seems far away after a while she says I was once a cook at the cafe and Glee we will all remember this evening when you have gone back to Paris Babette Babette tells them she will not be going back to Paris all her friends and relatives there have been killed or imprisoned and of course it would be expensive to return to Paris [00:09:17]

then Babette drops the bombshell she has spent her winnings every last Frank of the ten thousand she won on the feast they have just devoured don't be shocked she tells them that is what a proper dinner for 12 costs at the cafe Ingle that is the power of sacrifice [00:09:41]

Grace came to them in the form of a feast Babette's Feast a meal of a lifetime lavished on those who had in no way earned it [00:10:15]